DOYLESTOWN, PA — From Diane Burko’s sweeping views in pencil and Emmet Gowin’s evocative gelatin silver prints, to Alan Magee’s pensive woven cotton tapestry and Elizabeth Osborne’s saturated color canvases, Parting Gifts at the Michener Art Museum September 7 through December 9, 2012 is a combined farewell and thank you to former Director/CEO Bruce Katsiff
Elizabeth Osborne b. 1936 Foothills Oracle 2005 oil on board 10 x 10 inches
Katsiff will receive the 2012 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Arts and Leadership Service September 20. In his 23-year tenure at the Michener, Katsiff steered the growth and stature of the Michener. To honor all that he achieved, 36 artists have donated 46 works. On view in the museum’s Commonwealth Gallery, Parting Gifts will feature a broad range of regional styles and varied mediums.
“Parting Gifts represents some of the best contemporary artists in the region,” says Director-CEO Lisa Tremper Hanover. “These works, in a wide range of media and methods, will remain in the Michener’s permanent collection in perpetuity, a lasting tribute to Bruce’s passionate dedication to the arts.”
Hanover, who joined the Michener July 10, looks forward to designing the installation and writing the text for Parting Gifts. “One of my favorite things to do is to take a large group of work that spans media and content, and bring it together in harmony,” she says. “The challenge is to have the work complement each other but stand on its own. It’s something I’ve always been passionate about.”
The artists who have donated work to this exhibit are Michael Becotte, Selma Bortner, Diane Burko, Randl Bye, Paula Chamlee, Ed Colker, Robert Dodge, David Ellsworth, Rob Evans, Susan Fenton, Larry Fink, Elaine Galen, Alan Goldstein, Don Gonzalez, Emmet Gowin, Nancy Hellebrand, Catherine Jansen, Paul F. Keene, Jr. (1920-2009), Gwen Kerber, Joan Lindley, Alan Magee, Marlene Miller, Helen Mirkil, Mira Nakashima, Elizabeth Osborne, Stephen Perloff, Alan Powell/ Connie Coleman (1947-2011), Charlotte A. Schatz, Mark Sfirri, Thomas Shillea, Mavis Smith, Michael A. Smith, Charles Sorrels, Robert Whitley and Stephen Guion Williams.
The James A. Michener Art Museum is located at 138 South Pine St., Doylestown, Pa. Museum hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 4:30 pm; Saturday 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday noon to 5 pm. Admission: Members and children under 6, free; adults $15; seniors $13; college student with valid ID $11; ages 6-18 $7.50; under 6 free. For more information, visit www.michenerartmuseum.org or call 215-340-9800.